When Should We Be Concerned About Dark Circles In Children?

Dark circles are those shadows located under the eyes. Adults attribute their appearance to sleep deprivation, stress or fatigue. However, why do dark circles appear in children?

Although they are rarely a cause for concern, it is necessary to understand why dark circles appear in children. The first thing to define is that they are caused by a change in the color of the skin located under the eyes or in its total contour.

This change occurs due to the excessive production of melanin and also the dilation of blood vessels. It must be remembered that the skin around the eyes measures between 300 and 800 microns, that is, it is quite thin, which is why these physiological processes are so notorious.

Common causes of dark circles in children

It is normal for parents to be alarmed when their children wake up looking downcast, as this condition makes them look sick and tired . However, dark circles are not necessarily a cause for alarm. The reasons why dark circles appear in children are as follows.

Difficulties sleeping

It is normal for dark circles to appear when children have inadequate sleep habits. This disorder is known as childhood insomnia and affects children between six months and 5 years of age.

Children’s sleep can be affected by the consumption of food or beverages, such as coffee or chocolate, just before bed. Physical activity at night, light stimulation from technological devices and environmental noise can also affect them and give rise to dark circles.

In childhood insomnia, dark circles appear due to lack of adequate rest.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Another reason that can cause the appearance of dark circles in children is obstructive sleep apnea. This disorder is caused by the partial or complete blockage of breathing during sleep due to the narrowing of the airways.

Other symptoms that may suggest your child has this disorder include the following:

Snoring with long pauses in breathing.
Night terrors and restless sleep.
Dry mouth.
Breath through the mouth.

Fatigue

Due to sleep deprivation or excessive activities during the day, children may experience episodes of fatigue that lead to dark circles.

In these cases, it is necessary to review the activities that the child develops during the day to provide periods of rest that allow him to recover. You must be careful with daytime naps so that they do not interfere with nighttime sleep.

Nasal congestion

Being one of the most common causes, nasal congestion caused by flu, allergic rhinitis, asthma or sinusitis also causes the appearance of dark circles. This color change does not only occur around the eyes, but also on the nose.

This is due to the dilation of the veins in these areas. It should be clarified that when there is conjunctivitis, the eyelids are red due to the irritability of the skin.

genetic conditions

Although this usually manifests itself in adolescence, some children may be genetically predisposed to dark circles at an early age. This condition is also known as congenital dark circles or hereditary periorbital melanosis .

This is a genetic hyperpigmentation in the area around the eyes that can rarely be cleared. The important thing is that it does not compromise the child’s physical condition.

neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that often occurs in the adrenal glands, abdomen, chest, or areas of the body where there are groups of nerve cells. It appears in children under the age of five and causes bruises around the eyes.

It is essential not to confuse these bruises with dark circles. Other symptoms also appear, such as subcutaneous lumps, proptosis (eyes that seem to pop out of their sockets), bone or back pain, fever, and weight loss for no apparent reason.

orbital cellulite

Orbital cellulitis is an infection that can be serious. In children, it appears as a sinus condition, therefore, it is accompanied by dark circles or bulging eyes in children under 7 years of age.

Common culprits are Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae bacteria. In addition, there is a red coloration in the eyeball, difficulty in mobilizing the eyes and fever.

What to do to fight dark circles in children?

Normally, dark circles in children are not a serious condition. However, when there is another type of symptom associated, it is necessary to consult a doctor to rule out any illness. To improve your appearance, you can keep these recommendations and natural treatments in mind.

promote rest

With regard to dark circles due to sleep deprivation, it will be necessary to prevent the child from taking long naps during the day. Prevent her from watching television or being exposed to screens before bed. You can consult a doctor about offering infusions to help you fall asleep, such as chamomile or milk with honey.

On the other hand, if your child does a lot of activities during the day, you may want to consider giving him more time to rest or do relaxing activities such as yoga or meditation.

The use of screens before bed is not a good idea, as they interfere with sleep at night.

Use natural treatments

If your goal is to help reduce the appearance of dark circles, you can turn to natural options like cucumber slices. Place a slice in each eye. This will improve circulation, deflate and hydrate that area.

You can also apply some coconut oil or almonds to the dark circles with the help of a cotton ball. This also helps reduce inflammation and promotes eyelash growth.

Dark circles in children are an aesthetic problem

Dark circles in children, as in adults, are more aesthetic than a health problem in most cases. So if you’ve ruled out a physical problem with your doctor’s help, it’s best to stay calm.

In hereditary cases, it is necessary to help the child to accept their physical characteristics and avoid applying products that promise their elimination without medical authorization. Natural options are valid, as long as there are no contraindications.